Excellent series! Some of their first SLRs were the Asahiflex with a waist level finder plus optical finder. My first SLR was a Practica, then a Pentacon (Contax S) all with the M43 mount. When the Pentax H-1 was introduced, it made sense to go with Pentax. Later I bought the first Spotmatic and a few other versions later on. By the time the K series was introduced, i had started with Nikon. I still have all those Pentaxes and all still work, which is more than I can say for others of that vintage in my collection.
Sold a lot of the Pentax cameras. Loved the Takumar lenses. Used the Spotmatics for years before my Nikon F. Repaired a lot of them. Loved my old Spotmatic V spot meter. Mr Woo brings back great memories.
The film transport lever without plastic coating of a Spotmatic is much more convenient to handle than all others of that time ot later, and looks properly elegant. Unfortunately, Pentax overslept the change from M42 mount to the bayonet for too long, so it became easy for Canon and Minolta to gain ground. Pentax 6x7 and ES had the first important electronically controlled shutters. Although I'm a staunch Nikonian, I still like my Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SP 'Black Beauty' ;-)) @philosimot
I had an Electro Spotmatic (the ES) and because of its historic FIRST having TTL Auto Exposure I had it fully CLA's by a veteran Honeywell tech, for $150. New seals, bumpers, electronics refreshed . . . perfect. I sold it to a very young lady trying to get into 'film' as a hobby. I tried to explain to her the historic significance of the ES . . . . sold it for $60, a big loss. I don't think I got through to her how important that camera was . . . but I hope she is using it, not abusing or abandoning it.
